Improvement in locks



UNITED STATES RODOLPHUS L. WEBB, OF VEST MERIDEN, CONNECTICUT.

IMPROVEMENT IN LOCKS.

Specification forming part of Letteis Patent No. 41,247, dated January l2, 1864.

To all whom, it may concern:

Be it known that I, RonoLrHUs L.'WEBB, of West Meriden, county of NeW Haven, and State of Connecticut, have invented a certain new and useful Improvement in Knob-Latches; and I do hereby declare that the same is described and represented in the following specification and drawing; and to enable others skilled in the art to niake and use the same I will proceed to describe its construction, referring to the drawing, in which the same Ilet ters indicate like parts in each of the figures.

The nature of my improvement in knoblatches will be fully understood from the following specication and drawing, in whicha is an upper sectional portion of a lockcasein which this latch is arranged. b is the upper portion of its face-plate. c is the latch. g is thelatch-spindle. dis the tumbler. eisthe yoke, made much in theusual shape and form, and is actuated by the tumbler in the common way to draw back the latch c. fare studs secured to the plate, through or between which the latch-spindle g passes. The end of said spindle is secured into the yoke ein such a manner as to allow it to turn freely therein.

` h are springs placed upon said spindle, one

end of one of which bears against the yoke e, and the other against the latch c, so that one acts against the other, and when they are cut to a proper length in reference to each others position and action on the spindle g the spindle or latch will be properly adjusted in place, ready for use. The tumbler d is made much in the same shape and way of those now in common use, except that it has not any bearings by which it is heldin a fixed position in bearings in the latch-plates, as is the case with those now in use; but is fitted so as to move freely between the plates, and is held nearly in a position to easily receive its spindle by which it is actuated. Now, it will be readily seen that by pulling the latch c forward from the faceplate b before the insertion of the spindle (the knob spindle) and turning the latch a half-turn it will be changed into either a right or left handlatch, as may be desirable, thereby obviating the necessity (in making or purcbasinglatches for use or trade) of calling particularly for either right or left hand latches, as either hand will answer in this case.

The advantage to be derived from this improvement over others now in use seems to be too self-evident to need any further remark.

I believe I have thus shown the nature and construction of this improvement in latches so as to enable a person skilled in the art to make and use the same.

What I claim, therefore, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-

1. A tumbler, d, fitted loosely between the latcl1-plates, in combination with a swivel spindle-latch, g c, substantially as and for the pose described.

2. The arrangement ofthe spindle g, springs h, studs f, yoke e, and tumbler d, operating substantially as and for the purpose described.

RODOLPHUS L. WEBB.

Witnesses:

GEO. W. HoL'r, JEREMY W. BLIss. 

